Rev. Frank William Fraker

Frank William “Bill” Fraker of Lakeland passed away Nov. 20, 2022, at The Manor at Lake Morton surrounded by family. Born Oct. 14, 1935, to Albie Orlando and Deena “Daisy” Fraker in Jefferson City, Tenn, he is preceded in death by his brother Tom Fraker (Janice / Opal), and sister Katherine “Kitty” Eller.

Bill is survived by his sister Aldeena “Cricket” Estes (Bill) of Lilburn, GA, his loving wife Geraldine Lancaster, their two children Laura Dene Fraker (Edward Matchner) and William Jeffrey Fraker (Aimee Fraker), and grandchildren Aleysia Hoag and Presten Hoag.

He graduated from Scarrett College in Nashville, Tenn. in 1958 and earned his Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1961.

He came to Lakeland in 1968 to develop the Lakeland YMCA. In 1981, after many years of successful operation in Lakeland and starting YMCAs in Lake Wales and Winter Haven, he joined the Florida Southern College staff in the Development Office. Bill returned to pastoral ministry in 1986 as Associate Minister at Christ Church, Ft. Lauderdale. Retiring as the Senior Minister at Tavares FUMC in 1998, he returned to Lakeland to continue serving the community and the church through his volunteer service to the Habitat for Humanity building program and rebuilding the campground at Lake Junaluska, NC.

A Memorial Service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, November 28, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Florida Methodist Children’s Home at https://www.fumch.org/